A well-known Manhattan hotel that was turned into a migrant shelter is set to close by June. The Roosevelt Hotel, which became a symbol of New York City’s efforts to manage the large number of migrants arriving in the city, will shut down along with more than 50 other shelters.
Mayor Eric Adams announced the closures, saying that the number of new arrivals has significantly decreased in the past seven months. Many migrants have been moved to other housing or different communities.
The decision comes at a time when the Trump administration is enforcing stricter immigration policies and criticizing New York City’s hotel shelters, especially the Roosevelt Hotel. Mayor Adams’ handling of the migrant situation has been closely watched, especially after the Department of Justice mentioned his cooperation with immigration enforcement as a factor in dropping bribery charges against him. Adams has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Roosevelt Hotel: From Luxury to Shelter
The Roosevelt Hotel, located near Grand Central Terminal, first opened in 1924. It had over 1,000 rooms and was famous for its jazz band, led by Guy Lombardo. It was also the election headquarters for New York Governor Thomas Dewey during his unsuccessful 1948 presidential campaign.
However, by 2020, the hotel had lost its former glory and was shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2023, the city was struggling to provide housing for thousands of migrants arriving each week. As a legal requirement, New York must offer temporary housing to anyone in need. To manage the crisis, the city leased the Roosevelt Hotel from Pakistan’s government-owned airline and turned it into a migrant shelter.
A Controversial Shelter
The Roosevelt Hotel was used as both a shelter for migrant families and an arrival center for newcomers to register for services. Families were allowed to stay there for up to 60 days.
The hotel became a major focus of debate over immigration in the city. In the summer of 2023, long lines formed outside the hotel, with some people even sleeping on the street while waiting for a bed.
More recently, federal officials claimed that the hotel had become a hotspot for gang activity. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) used these reports to justify taking back $80 million in funding from the city. However, New York officials denied these claims, calling them unproven.
Why Is the Shelter Closing?
The number of migrants arriving in New York has dropped significantly. Last year, about 69,000 migrants were staying in shelters, but now that number is down to 45,000. The city is also limiting how long migrants can stay in shelters and has bought over 52,000 travel tickets to help people relocate.
Mayor Adams said the decrease is due to stricter federal immigration policies and the city’s own measures to manage the crisis.
What Happens Next?
People staying at the Roosevelt Hotel will have shelter until April or May. Those still in need will be moved to other shelters. The city also plans to continue helping new arrivals find resources and support.
However, organizations like the Legal Aid Society and the Coalition for the Homeless worry that the city may not have enough resources to help everyone in need.
What Will Happen to the Roosevelt Hotel?
It is unclear what will happen to the building after the shelter closes. The hotel’s owner, a Pakistan-based airline, has not announced any future plans. A real estate company may be involved in deciding the next steps.
For now, the Roosevelt Hotel’s time as a migrant shelter is coming to an end, marking a shift in how New York City handles the ongoing migrant crisis.
